Product Description

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Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release in the Claybourne family. But it might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within. Join the strong Claybourne women-Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami-as they each confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and renewed love in their own lives.

Publisher's Description

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Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release in the Claybourne family. But it might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within. Join the strong Claybourne women--Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami--as they each confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and renewed love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is--family.

Author Bio

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Eva Marie Everson is a successful speaker and the award-winning author of Things Left Unspoken, This Fine Life, Chasing Sunsets, and Waiting for Sunrise. She is coauthor of the Potluck Club books and the Potluck Catering Club series. She lives in Florida.

When I came across Slow Moon Rising on NetGalley I knew I needed to download it for a review. The cover photo and even the title give the book an eerie feel. Early on you realize there is something odd going on but you just aren't quite sure what it is.

The first several chapters are told from the point of view of Anise then the narrative switches to the different daughters and Anise. Once it switches to the daughters you really begin to realize that something just isn't right. There are buried family secrets that hold destructive power over the whole family.

Slow Moon Rising is a novel that delves into the complexities of family relationships. We are reminded that "no man is an island unto himself". What we do both good and bad has long reaching effects on those around us. The ironic part in this instance is that the transgression that was committed was long before most of the daughters were born yet it has been a dark cloud over an otherwise seemingly perfect family.

Ms. Everson brings this story and the Cedar Key series full circle, showing just how powerful the act of telling the truth, seeking forgiveness and bestowing forgiveness can be in all our lives. This was a wonderful stand-alone series that I think many of you will enjoy.

The third Cedar Key novel centres on Dr Ross Claybourne as he grieves the loss of his wife and unexpectedly finds love with a woman twenty years his junior. The story is revealed in the first person of the women in Ross' life ~ Anise, and his four daughters, each of whom struggle to come to terms with the future as it clashes with the past. Eve Marie Everson exposes the impact on a family of long held secrets, when good intentions result in deeply buried pain, and the process towards healing and recovery. I enjoyed reading the perspectives of each character, and uniquely, Eva does this in blocks of chapters, not the usual alternating ones, so it is easy to ascertain whose head you are in as you progress through the story. This is an authentic book that doesn't shy away from the realities of broken relationships, poor choices, and the searing pain of guilt and insecurities. All manner of issues are dealt with in this book from terminal illness, alcoholism, and divorce. Each of these are handled with sensitivity and honesty, reflecting the condition of the human heart in all its weakness and resilient strength. The story encompassed over 15 years and while, on occasion, it made some things feel rushed, overall Eva has created a genuine and intriguing story of family, love, and reconciliation. This is not a light hearted read but one that is worth reading and taking the insights of these characters to hear. I have no hesitation in recommending this excellent novel.

Eva Marie Everson in her new book, "Slow Moon Rising" Book Three in the Cedar Key series published by Revell gives us a view into the life of Anise, Ross, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami.

From the Back Cover: One family, one secret-and one chance to make it right

The beautiful Claybourne home on Cedar Key has long been a place of rest, healing, and release. Each member of the family has turned there in times of confusion, loss, and hurt, only to feel their spirits renewed and their hearts restored.

But Cedar Key might also be the birthplace of a lie that is poisoning the family from within.

Join the five Claybourne women-Anise, Kimberly, Jayme-Leigh, Heather, and Ami-as they search the past and confront the truth. Their unique paths will lead them through heartbreak, misunderstandings, and pain. But their journeys will also bring reconciliation with each other and the precious renewal of love in their own lives.

In her lyrical, evocative fashion, Eva Marie Everson weaves a tapestry of complicated relationships that, when complete, reveals the most beautiful work of art there is-family.

I think "Slow Moon Rising" is Eva Marie Everson's best work to date. This is the end of the series and Ms. Everson takes us out with a high note. This is a story about the twenty year difference in age romance between Ross and Anise and how they made it work. This is the story of Ross's four daughters, their problems and how God leads them to resolution. "Slow Moon Rising", to me, is a lot like looking at a tapestry, on the one side is the beautiful artistry that we can stare at for hours and on the other side are the knots and weaves that it takes to make the tapestry. Each character is unforgettable and we come to root for each one. "Slow Moon Rising" is a story about family and a wonderful family at that.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group."

Slow Moon Rising is the last installment in the Cedar Key Series and was preceded by Chasing Sunsets, Waiting for Sunrise and Things Left Unspoken. I read Waiting for Sunrise some time back and enjoyed the story so much that when an opportunity came to read this novel, I couldn't pass it up. There are some who read every book of series in order and some like me who forget to read the other books. Whether you have or haven't read the other books, this one is heart-gripping, perhaps even a thought-changing novel.

Basically, Anise, who has become the owner of a floral shop in Maine, thinks she will forever remain single until she meets the man who will become her husband. There is an age difference between Ross and Anise, but the love they have for each other overrides any attention on their differences. Throughout the novel, you will be introduced to characters who struggle with relationships, divorce, alcoholism and even cancer. Dr. Ross, who is a pediatrician, had been married to Joan for almost 30 years and has four wonderful daughters.

As each daughter grows to adulthood so too do the mounds of joys and sorrows along with a growing family. Every couple of chapters a different character shares life from their perspective though not all covering the same time frame. Beautifully woven scenes of what real life looks like in a family are mirrored in the fictional work. So too is the reality in each of their lives as to their faith in Christ and what is lovingly referred to as second chances.

I believe that is what the whole point is throughout the writing; because of Christ we can have a second chance. Born with a sinful nature and battling it every day is a thread of this masterpiece as well as the hope we have because of Christ's sacrifice and the forgiveness He holds out to one and all without withdrawing His hand. I cried some during this novel as it had scenes that reminded me of past experiences I have walked through along with some pretty recent ones. I don't cry easily when reading a book, but this one had me tearing up in parts and laughing in others. I also became quite thankful to the Lord for His redemption in my life and the hope of seeing loved ones again in eternity.

Eva Marie didn't write a fairy tale; she wrote the Truth about God in a work of fiction to remind us all of the grace and unending love God has for each of us. There is also the awesome reminder that we can be new every day because great is His faithfulness! He heals the brokenhearted, and we who have Him as our Savior don't mourn like those without hope. We hurt, sometimes for quite awhile, but we are able to see the sunrises and sunsets in their entire vast array because of His great love!